Greens fail to confirm status against 14 men

Victory should have been theirs, but a combination of missed chances, a couple of crucial defensive lapses, and rather less luck than their spirited performance warranted saw a potential five-point haul reduced to a single bonus.

In a forceful opening, the Dalesmen missed a good chance to claim the first points when Tom Davidson’s third-minute penalty shot from 30 metres was blown wide by the stiff breeze.

The Greens continued on the offensive, but were suddenly split open by a Park break that saw the hosts take full advantage of a two-man overlap on the right, full-back Mark Jennings scoring near the posts. Centre Matt Riley added the conversion.

The Greens surged back, and for 20 minutes laid relentless siege to the home line. Park’s splendid defence repulsed drive after drive – but finally cracked, flanker Dan Solomi grabbing the unconverted try.

The pendulum swung dramatically in Park’s favour when No 8 Rob Baldwin was yellow-carded for tackling a defender in the air. The Greens’ skipper had to watch as Park immediately made the most of his absence with winger Fergus Owen’s converted try.

The depleted Greens rallied to hold out against further pressure, reaching the interval 14-5 in arrears.

Riley’s early second-half penalty stretched the home lead, but yet more efficient pack work brought Dale’s second try (58), by flanker Alex Reider, Davidson converting from the touchline for 17-12.

Just as the Greens seemed to have taken command they fell to a sucker punch. Park’s strong-running hooker Richard Oxley made improbable space for himself to surge over for an unopposed try (63).

Oxley was once again a key figure in events – red-carded for unacceptable violence. Wharfedale had 12 minutes to make their numerical advantage tell. Another siege culminated in a third pack try (76), lock Richard Brown claiming the honour, Davidson converting, but the final whistle came with dogged possession play from Park frustrating the Greens.